Located in Talbot County, Maryland within the Chesapeake Bay, Tilghman Island is a census-desginated place offering a variety of dining, shopping, and outdoor natural experiences in a historic, quaint island atmosphere.

History

Tilghman Island was originally known by European settlers in North America as Great Choptank Island. In 1752, the island was purchased by Matthew Tilghman, earning it the name Tilghman Island. The island was briefly taken over by British forces during the War of 1812 as a site for military provisions, but in the 1840s, the community of Tilghman began to develop, with industry centered around the farming industry. Following the advent of steamboat service to the Chesapeake Bay in the 1890s, the island became a hub for local fishing and oystering activity connected to the nearby cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Attractions

Today, Tilghman Island is a census-designated place and is home to a population of more than 850 residents. It is located within Talbot County, Maryland along the eastern coast of the Chesapeake Bay and is connected to the mainland via a bridge along Maryland Route 33 over the Knapps Narrows waterway. The 2.7-square-mile island is located approximately two hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and is a popular tourist destination for day trip and weekend getaways, offering a variety of dining, shopping, and outdoor natural experiences.

A variety of historic attractions are offered on the island, including the Sharps Island Light, which was originally constructed on Sharps Island in 1838 but transported to Tilghman Island the following decade due to erosion. In 1882, the current light station was constructed, which features a caisson foundation, 9.8-inch lens, and 35-foot cast iron tower noted for its similarities to the Leaning Tower of Pisa due to storm damage that occurred in 1977. In 1982, the light was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is featured today as part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Several other historic sites on the island are also NRHP-designated places, including the Paw Paw Cove Site and a number of historic fishing and oystering vessels.

Cultural attractions on the island include the Tilghman Island Watermen’s Museum, which offers a variety of exhibits celebrating the island’s fishing and oystering industry heritage and economy. The museum was born out of a 2007 effort to save the historic Kathryn workboat and evolved into a full museum facility that opened to the public in June of 2008. Today, the museum showcases exhibits emphasizing the stories of local watermen and offers rotating exhibits of art pieces depicting the Chesapeake Bay region’s fishing industry. The island is also home to the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, which offers hands-on educational and conservation opportunities for visitors of all ages.

A variety of dining options are located throughout the island, including the Marker 5 Restaurant and Tiki Bar, which offers traditional Chesapeake Bay dishes such as Maryland crab soup, crab cakes, and rockfish. Beer and cocktails are offered at the establishment’s tiki bar, and freshly-smoked seafood and meats are served from a smoker and grill.Characters at the Bridge offers a casual, local-favorite atmosphere and classic American fare such as burgers, sandwiches, and seafood dishes. The Tilghman Island Country Store also sells take-out deli foods, sundries, and adult beverages and offers weekly wine tastings on Friday evenings. Shopping destinations include Crawford’s Nautical Book Bank, which stocks an impressive collection of maritime-themed books, maps, and charts, and Fairbank’s Tackle, which sells fishing supplies and sundries.

A variety of outdoor natural activities are offered on the island, including opportunities for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Equipment rentals are offered at the Knapps Narrows Marina and Tilghman Island Marina, including bike, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. Sailing charters depart three times daily throughout the summer season from Chesapeake Bay Sailing Charters, with private yachting and historic vessel sailing experiences available for individuals and groups. Public water access is allowed at several sites throughout the island, and fishing and crabbing are allowed with possession of a valid Maryland fishing license. Boating tours of the area’s historic lighthouses and structures are also offered by the Chesapeake Lights tour company.

Overnight accommodations are offered at a number of inns and bed and breakfast facilities throughout the island, including the Lazyjack Inn, which overlooks Dogwood Harbor, and the Black Walnut Point Inn, which offers an outdoor relaxation area featuring hammocks, adirondack chairs, and a private dock. Other facilities include the Tilghman Island Inn, Lowe’s Wharf Marina and Inn, the Knapps Narrows Inn, and Harrison’s House. Several vacation rental properties are available on the island for longer stays and larger groups, including Hard Heads Cottage, Captain’s Watch, and Tilghman Landing. Map

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